Thomas More 1527

Hans Holbein the Younger made this drawing of Thomas More using charcoal and colored chalks on paper. The choice of materials here is key. Holbein wasn’t interested in the grand scale of oil painting, but rather in the immediacy and intimacy of drawing. Chalk and charcoal allowed him to capture the textures of More’s clothing with remarkable precision, from the soft fur collar to the folds of his cap. Look closely, and you'll see the subtle gradations of tone that give the portrait its lifelike quality. But beyond mere representation, these materials also speak to the social context of the work. Drawing was a favored medium for preparatory sketches and portraits of the elite, allowing for relatively quick production, but required highly trained and skilled workers. By focusing on the materiality of this portrait, we can appreciate not only Holbein’s technical skill but also the complex interplay of art, craft, and social status in the 16th century.